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Elmer A. Barlau Obituary – 1/8/2016


Elmer A. Barlau, age 92, of Cologne, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at the Auburn Home in Waconia.

He was born March 13, 1923, in Camden Township, the son of William and Elizabeth (Seidler) Barlau. Elmer was baptized April 22, 1923, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Young America by the Rev. M.F. Abraham; and confirmed May 21, 1937, at the same church by the Rev. W.P. Kramer.

Elmer was united in marriage to Verna M. Vollrath April 30, 1947, at Zion Lutheran Church in Mayer by the Rev. E. Schwandt.

Elmer loved the Lord, and was extremely steadfast in his faith. He had a strong desire to be a witness to God, and wanted everyone to hear the word of the Lord and be saved.

Elmer was a family man, loved his wife, and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When asked about how long he was married, Elmer would respond “Sixty-eight short years.”

No matter how busy he was, he always had time for his kids, letting them “tag along” on trips to the hardware store, feed mill, or any other place he was going.

Elmer was a dairy farmer and lived on the farm all of his life. He worked hard, sun up to sun down, tending to his cows, crops, chickens, barn cats, and other farm animals. On Sundays, Elmer would take a break from his work to go to church in the morning, and in the afternoon spend time visiting family, friends, and neighbors, or taking his family fishing.

Elmer enjoyed playing sheephead, working with his wife to cut blocks for her quilting projects, and tending the vegetable garden and sharing his harvest with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna; parents William Sr. and Elizabeth Barlau; son-in-law Kenneth Thaemert; sisters Mathilda Kohls; and brothers Henry, Gottlieb and William Barlau Jr.

Elmer is survived by his loving family: children James (Carol) Barlau of Plato, Linda Thaemert, Lynette (Terry) Rettig, all of Cologne, Carol Barlau and special friend Blaine Halvorson of Overland Park, KS, and John Barlau of Waconia; grandchildren Carrie (Dan) Feltmann, Kelly (Jimmy) Buesgens, Dan (Kathy) Thaemert, Jason (Kim) Thaemert, Stephanie (Tommy) Otto, Michelle (Rod) Davila, and Christopher (Elinor) Rettig; and great-grandchildren Danielle, Megan, Timothy and Ryan Feltmann, Lucy and Lincoln Buesgens, Lauren, Paige and Erin Thaemert, Brandon Legg, Kallie and Jaydon Thaemert, McKayla Rettig, and Dominic Davila.

He is further survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Milton and Evelyn Vollrath of Mayer; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service took place Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Mayer with the Rev. Adam Gless officiating. There was visitation from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment was in Crow River Cemetery, New Germany.

Elmer’s grandchildren were his casket bearers: Carrie Feltmann, Kelly Buesgens, Dan Thaemert, Jason Thaemert, Stephanie Otto, Michelle Davila, and Christopher Rettig.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.

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